Josef “Pepi” Umathum is one of Austria's best known producers. In the Burgenland growing district called Neusiedlersee (Lake Neusiedl), he counts as one of the great champions of the traditional Austrian grape varieties: Zweigelt, St Laurent and Blaufränkisch account for 85% of his plantations. Umathum has embraced the intricacies and harmonies of biodynamic viticulture, and for most of his wines—all hand-harvested—he prefers to use large barrels of native Austrian oak, which underscores the clear fruit aromatics of the wines. Some of the high-toned single vineyard bottlings are matured in smaller oak barrels and barriques, and are first released three years after the vintage. Years of experience drinking Burgenland reds have taught us that Pepi Umathum’s entry-level Zweigelt is second to none.
